Chapter 6

The five Elves crouched silently behind a cluster of bushes, seeing large amounts of Orcs keeping guard of their stronghold.

"How will we get passed them?" Legolas whispered.

"What you need is a diversion." A voice spoke up from behind.

"Always such impeccable timing Mithrandir." Elrond commented, "Why are you here?"

"Passing through on business." The wizard said.

"Going to the Lonely Mountain again then." Glorfindel commented.

"What are you five doing here? Not a place Elves would normally visit."

"Nor are we here by choice, but Estel is inside and we must get him out of there." Elrond explained.

"In other words you want me to create a diversion so you can get in and make sure you can get back out." Gandalf sighed. "You younglings are always getting me into trouble in some way or other."

"Young?" the two lords repeated in unison, the other three snickered quietly.

"Keep quiet unless you want to be caught. As soon as the Orcs start moving get inside, but hurry I know not how long I can hold them off for." The wizard muttered and left.

The elves waited restlessly, watching the Orcs carefully. A loud howling sound caught their attention and they started running toward it. "Come on, hurry." Elrond hissed. "You check the lower levels, we will cover you. Quickly though, I know not how long we can remain unnoticed."

"Be careful father," Elladan whispered and led the two younger Elves down the winding corridors.

The winding stairs were dimly lit and very steep. They could hear tormenting screams of pain, pleads for mercy, but no voice was recognised as Estel's. They finally reached a room full of cells. Suspiciously unguarded.

"I don't like this." Elladan whispered, "Everywhere screams trap."

Elrohir moved out cautiously. "Look." He called to the other two. "The cells, they are empty."

"Odd."

"Elladan," Legolas whispered seeing a cell, completely dark, something was huddled in the corner.

"Estel." Elladan murmured pushing past the other Elf, "Elrohir bring light." The younger twin was soon there with a glowing torch, only then did they see the true extent of the man's torment.

The three Elves stood there, horrified. There was not one part of Estel's body that had not been covered in blood. Elladan carefully pulled blood sticky hair away from his face. "Oh Estel..." he whispered tears filling his eyes as he saw so much damage had been done to his Human's brother's face. His lips and eyes were swollen, huge gashes covered his face, part of his cheek had caved in on one side. A barely audible moan told them he was awake.

"Estel, look at me Estel," Elladan urged softly, "saes gwador, open your eyes for me." The Human's head fell forward as he drifted into unconsciousness. "He is still alive," he told the other two who waited anxiously, "but barely, his pulse is very weak and his breathing is too erratic. We should not move him..."

"What choice do we have? We have to get him out of here." Elrohir argued.

"I know that, but we must be careful. Is there anything we can use to carry him?"

"Yes, here," Legolas came back to them, "I found it on another cell, it is not much, but it will have to do." he said giving the elder the blanket. They carefully wrapped the blanket around him and Elladan slowly carried him out of the dungeons.

"One of you go ahead and tell father we have found him."

"I'll go," Legolas offered sprinting off ahead.

"How do you think he is?" Elrohir asked quietly, talking about their brother.

"Ro..." Elladan started.

"Don't lie Dan, I want to know." The younger knew his brother had a habit of lying to him, to lessen his worry, but it would not work.

"His wounds are serious, I cannot say for sure until I get a chance to check him carefully in proper light." He said no more, not wanting to worry his brother more than he had to.

It took them a few minutes to reach their father and Legolas, but Glorfindel it seemed had already gone.

"Where did Glorfindel go?" Elrohir asked.

"He went on ahead, to Lórien, hopefully we will be able to get aid from there., how is he?"

"Not good father, has wounds are brutal, proving he has been here much longer than he should have. We should not have moved him, but we had no choice."

"Alright, give him here," the slight shift caused the unconscious man to let out faint barely audible whimpers, "Shh, ion nîn, shh, sidh, sidh, im sinome, esta ion esta," he soothed softly, "we have to move quickly." He said as they exited the large fortress unhindered.

There were no Orcs in sight, or Gandalf, perhaps he had done what he had to and moved on.

"This is too easy," he muttered, "Legolas, I want you to go home."

"But..." Legolas started to protest.

"No buts Legolas, I do not want you to be on bad terms with your father, not for my sake..."

"What about Estel? He needs me..."

"This has noting to do with Estel, I want you to go home, we can look after him; we will let you know how he is getting on."

"No. I am sorry lord, but he is my friend, I cannot leave him, not now. I promised to be here for him no matter what, I never go back on my word for anyone. Not even my father." The Elf's mind was made up. He was stubborn to get his own way.

"Fine, but you will go and try to talk to him once Estel is well again." Elrond sighed, seeing he was not going to win.

"Be iest lin," Legolas agreed.